Amman International Film Festival (AIFF) reveals Juries and Awards
August 17, 2021Juries of the 2nd Edition of the Amman International Film Festival (AIFF)
August 17, 2021
| Amman, Jordan – 17 August 2021 -The Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF) announces an unprecedented cinematic event and the line-up of its 2nd Edition, due to take place between 23 and 31 August 2021. A rich and diverse programme, complemented by activities dedicated to film professionals and in the presence of international experts, mentors and trainers. The line-up consists of 51 films from 26 countries, including feature-length narratives, documentaries, and shorts, Arab and international. It is a unique selection carefully curated after viewing hundreds of submissions, offering viewers an opportunity to watch films, which might not make it to commercial theatres in Jordan. All movies are released in 2020 and 2021 and are competing in four different categories, whereby winners will receive cash awards. Four films will have their world première at the festival, whereas eight others haven’t been screened yet in the Arab World. In its 2nd Edition, the AIFF will be hosting around 40 filmmakers, amongst the pool of foreign guests, who will be representing their films and answering questions from the audience. The films, their directors, and their countries of origin, are listed below. The Festival’s programme dedicates its “First and Latest” section, which features the work and the cinematic journey of an accomplished and renowned filmmaker, to Syrian auteur and acclaimed director Mohammad Malas. Malas will give a closer look on how his filmmaking style and language have evolved over the years. Furthermore, the 2nd Edition of the AIFF will be hosting the Franco-Arab Film Festival in a special out-of-competition section called “Franco-Arab Rendez-Vous”. In addition to co-hosting the opening film, The Franco-Arab Rendez-Vous will showcase three feature length French films or films co-produced by France, as well as four shorts. Commenting on the films selection, Areeb Zuaiter, Head of Programming of the AIFF, said: “The AIFF’s selection this year includes diverse stories coming from our region; stories on passion and conflict, distinction and identity, youth, family and seniority. Yet, the Festival carries unified themes and shared experiences. Diaspora, self-examination, and boldness are at the heart of the films competing in the various AIFF Arab sections. The competing Arab films marry well with what we are offering in the international section. Stories from across the globe continue to complement our Arab human and cultural narratives. The Festival will open with the award-winning Palestinian film, “Gaza Mon Amour” (2020) by Tarzan and Arab Nasser on 23 August; while “Diana” (2020), a Jordanian short film by Maysoon Hbaidi, will be showcased at the closing awards ceremony on 31 August. The AIFF continues operating under special circumstances due to the global pandemic and is taking all measures to ensure a safe environment for its guests and audience. The 2nd Edition of the AIFF will be using for the second year the three drive-in cinemas in the Abdali area, as well as the open-air theatre at the Royal Film Commission and TAJ Cinemas. In addition to the above, and in order to reach a wider audience, the Festival will be streaming some of its films on Istikana Platform, and will organise some screenings across the Kingdom in Irbid, Wadi Rum and Salt. Tickets can be purchased on: www.aiff.jo, www.sajilni.com and at two selling points in The Boulevard and in TAJ Cinemas, as of 19 August 2021. Arab Feature-Length Narrative Films Competing for the Black Iris Award: Final Round [Original title: Dernier Round – BRÛLER LA MER] (2021) by Mohamed Fekrane and Gustavo Cortés Bueno (Morocco) Honey Cigar [Original title: Cigare au miel] (2020) by Kamir Aïnouz (Algeria) Oliver Black (2020) by Tawfik Baba (Morocco) Skies of Lebanon [Original title: Sous le ciel d’Alice] (2020) by Chloé Mazlo (Lebanon) The Man Who Sold His Skin [Original title: L’Homme qui a vendu sa peau] (2020) by Kaouther Ben Hania (Tunisia) Trapped (2021) by Manal Khaled (Egypt) Zanka Contact (2020) by Ismaël El Iraki (Morocco) Arab Feature-Length Documentary Films Competing for the Black Iris Award: A Way Home [Original title: Dans La Maison] (2020) by Karima Saidi (Morocco) Gevar’s Land (2020) by Qutaiba Barhamji (Syria) Manca Moro (2021) by Rim Temimi (Tunis) On the Fence (2020) by Nesrine El-Zayat (Egypt) Only the Ocean Between Us (2021) by Khaldiya Amer Ali, Marah Mohammad Alkhateeb, Karoli, Bautista Pizarro, Christy Cauper Silvano (Jordan) The Fifth Story (2020) by Ahmed Abd (Iraq) Their Algeria (2020) by Lina Soualem (Algeria) Arab Short Films Competing for the Black Iris Award: 8 Years [Original title: Huit Ans] (2021) by Ziad Mazraany (Lebanon) A Handful of Dates (2021) by Hashim Hassan (Sudan) About Separation (2021) by Kawthar Younis (Egypt) Aicha (2021) by Zakaria Nouri (Morocco) Amygdala (2021) by Dana Abdessamad (Lebanon) Falling into the Summit (2021) by Aya Ammar Radi (Jordan) Geisha L.O.V.E. (2021) by Mike V. Derderian (Jordan) Hemingwhy (2021) by Ghaith Al-Adwan & Laith Al-Adwan (Jordan) It Is Better There (2021) by Hasanain Al-Hani (Iraq) Left Foot (2020) by Falah Al-Zaidi and Safaa Sami (Iraq) Mariam (2021) by Dana Durr (Palestine) Potato (2021) by Mohamed El-Badry (Egypt) Revolutionary Baby (2020) by Sheherezade El Moumni Berdai (Morocco) Roadblock (2020) by Dahlia Nemlich (Lebanon) The Hurl (2021) by Samir Kawas (Lebanon) The Other Cheek (2021) by Sandro Canaan (Egypt) The Red Mountain (2020) by Kamel Harb (Lebanon) Ward’s Henna Party (2021) by Morad Mostafa (Egypt) International Films Competing for the Audience Award: Anima [Original title: 莫爾道嘎] (2020) by Cao Jinling (China) Botox (2020) by Kaveh Mazaheri (Iran) Feels Good Man (2020) by Arthur Jones (United States) Fire in the Mountains (2021) by Ajitpal Singh (India) Influence (2020) by Diana Neille and Richard Poplak (South Africa) Josep (2020) by Aurel (France) Softie (2020) by Sam Soko (Kenya) SpaceBoy (2021) by Olivier Pairoux (Belgium) The Father (2020) by Florian Zeller (United Kingdom) Special Screening: 200 Meters (2020) by Ameen Nayfeh (Palestine/Jordan) Franco-Arab Rendez-vous section : Faithful [Original title: De nos frères blesses] (2020) by Hélier Cisterne October Cedar [Original title: Le Cèdre d’Octobre] (2020) by Sélim Saab Spring Blossom [Original title: Seize printemps] (2020) by Suzanne Lindon Four short films winners of the Franco-Arab competitions in Noisy-le-Sec and Amma |
| For further information about the Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF), including all of our social media platforms and contact information please click here or visit our website, or call Rick W. Hindi at +962792222011. For information regarding the Amman Film Industry Days (AFID), click here. Partners of the AIFF: Jordan Tourism Board; Royal Film Commission-Jordan; Abdali Investment and Development; Zain; Royal Jordanian; Pikasso Jordan; Ghiath & Nadia Sukhtian Foundation; Edgo; Greater Amman Municipality; Bank al Etihad; TAJ Cinema. Media Partners: Jordan Radio & Television Corporation; Roya Media Group; Al-Mamlaka TV; Hala Radio; Bliss 104.3 FM; Mazaj FM; Radio Dahab |
